Philip Scott and Graham Sizers £50,000 offer is conditional on Darlington FC Supporters Trust matching it by investing the money that was raised by fans and townspeople when the club was in administration in 2003.

As expected S&S have shown their hand. The ball is now in the trust and council's court.

Personally I can't see them relaxing the covenants which is the only thing that will save the club but we can live in hope. As I've said before the deal will be beneficial to all parties and the council could save the club. If more than 2% of the town were behind the club there would be a chance but given an overwhelming majority of the townsfolk don't care it will ultimately influence their decision imo

Even if the trust do invest the £50k they have then £100k is not enough to save us.

Thats true, but if a land sale can raise enough to cover a new community stadium, pay S&S off and cover anything they have to put up front to save the club till the end of the season then that £50k is best spent NOW!

There is potentially a win/win for EVERYBODY at the end of this...including the club. S & S get their money back, the council relax the covenants, we get a community stadium as part of the deal. The council's MAIN concern is that no private individual makes a killing on the stadium. That has always been their stance, and always will be.

There are very encouraging noises coming from the council spokesman about a potential deal that could benefit all.

Maybe the council simply never trusted the previous 3 chairmen?

_________________

“Everybody knows where that club is going now, so I’m out of the way. They can carry on, it’s their club, they can keep it." - Raj Singh, 2017

Even if the trust do invest the £50k they have then £100k is not enough to save us.

It's not, but it should buy some time for council negotiations. If the council were to make some positive indications I'm sure more cash could be forthcoming on the proviso it could be recouped when the land could be sold for retail development

It's the last roll on the dice for S&S and for the club in it's current format. Its the best offer the club will get.

There is potentially a win/win for EVERYBODY at the end of this...including the club. S & S get their money back, the council relax the covenants, we get a community stadium as part of the deal. The council's MAIN concern is that no private individual makes a killing on the stadium. That has always been their stance, and always will be.

There are very encouraging noises coming from the council spokesman about a potential deal that could benefit all.

Relaxing the covenants might enable the pair to sell or re-develop the stadium. A share of the proceeds would go to the council, and could finance a more viable stadium for the Quakers

So chuck in your cash now, let us sell the land and make a priofit (what kind of share are they looking at for the council?) and let the council sort you out a new home. Now who do you trust most..................

There is potentially a win/win for EVERYBODY at the end of this...including the club. S & S get their money back, the council relax the covenants, we get a community stadium as part of the deal. The council's MAIN concern is that no private individual makes a killing on the stadium. That has always been their stance, and always will be.

There are very encouraging noises coming from the council spokesman about a potential deal that could benefit all.

Maybe the council simply never trusted the previous 3 chairmen?

Pleased I'm not the only one who thinks this!!!

This is my view on the proposal. It is encouraging, and if it to work out it would easily be the best situation by far for all involved. Unfortunately, though, I do think it's too little too late and I don't think that the Trust will gamble their 50k now when they've held onto it for so long. But the prospect of survival and a new community stadium and a life away from the Arena is too exciting just to disregard.

Relaxing the covenants might enable the pair to sell or re-develop the stadium. A share of the proceeds would go to the council, and could finance a more viable stadium for the Quakers

So chuck in your cash now, let us sell the land and make a priofit (what kind of share are they looking at for the council?) and let the council sort you out a new home. Now who do you trust most..................

The plan is a little more intricate than this and will safeguard all parties interest before anything is sold, however the trust would need to match S&S's short term gamble purely because of the lack of time

There is potentially a win/win for EVERYBODY at the end of this...including the club. S & S get their money back, the council relax the covenants, we get a community stadium as part of the deal. The council's MAIN concern is that no private individual makes a killing on the stadium. That has always been their stance, and always will be.

There are very encouraging noises coming from the council spokesman about a potential deal that could benefit all.

Maybe the council simply never trusted the previous 3 chairmen?

Pleased I'm not the only one who thinks this!!!

This is my view on the proposal. It is encouraging, and if it to work out it would easily be the best situation by far for all involved. Unfortunately, though, I do think it's too little too late and I don't think that the Trust will gamble their 50k now when they've held onto it for so long. But the prospect of survival and a new community stadium and a life away from the Arena is too exciting just to disregard.

It would be a gamble, but a gamble that nobody would criticise the Trust for taking. I'm sure that they must have held more detailed talks with S&S and have a good feel whether this is a genuine go-er or not.

Also, let us not forget, this is not a case of the Trust being asked to pour money into a black hole for no return, this is a gamble of keeping the club going long enough that it can be saved and THEY would be a part of the new ownership.

Also, why can't we raise a bit of money too?

And, where is Kev Smith's mate?

_________________

“Everybody knows where that club is going now, so I’m out of the way. They can carry on, it’s their club, they can keep it." - Raj Singh, 2017

Relaxing the covenants might enable the pair to sell or re-develop the stadium. A share of the proceeds would go to the council, and could finance a more viable stadium for the Quakers

So chuck in your cash now, let us sell the land and make a priofit (what kind of share are they looking at for the council?) and let the council sort you out a new home. Now who do you trust most..................

The plan is a little more intricate than this and will safeguard all parties interest before anything is sold, however the trust would need to match S&S's short term gamble purely because of the lack of time

I'm pretty sure that the Trust money is not in an instant access account either. It might only be a loss of interest penalty but to get a better rate of interest they might have it on 3 months notice.

So a potential cash investment of 100k leaving a short fall of 200k +. can this be raised / generated over the rest of the season? I think so! It's also pretty obvious that S and S need the club to continue. Maybe they would match another bit raised in April/may if required.

Guys, I know its a long time ago but this is basically the speculation we had the other day (Weds) on the "out of the box idea" thread, albeit without the council putting in short term liquidity (to be fair to Divas, he said this wouldn't happen)

If, and its a big if - talks between S&S and DBC go well, and there is an agreement that relaxes the covenants, and includes funding provision for a new stadium (maybe even at Feethams, although that bit is a separate issue), then DFC potentially...

Get out of the arenaGet a small stadiumStay in the BSP (so long as Raj waives his debts)Puts the club in to local hands

I don't speak for the Trust, but if they haven't been involved in discussions with DBC and S&S then they need to and fast. Crucial is the response from DBC. If I take Bill Dixon's comments at face value in the Echo piece, I'd say he's playing ball - but they need to find that out for themselves. I would hope that for providing this funding, the DFCRG would give them the seat on the board they were looking for.

This deal, if it can be brought about, is a damn sight better than pissing about in the Wearside League on the bones of our arse scrabbling about for favours for a ground to play in.

why are the Trust never contactable ???? where do these people live ? no phones ? mobiles? internet ? Us ordinary mortals have never been far away from this board or Twitter seeing what is happening with our club and how we can help ?